Engadget reports on a Harris Interactive survey that states that 74% of US Americans say NO to in-flight calling and that cellphone usage in-flight should be restricted to “non-talking features” such as emailing, texting, or surfing the Web. Additionally, 69% of those surveyed agreed that if voice calls are permitted, a special “talking zone” should be established so that other passengers are not disturbed. This “talking zone” brings to light what the etiquette should be for making in-flight voice calls regardless of the technology used. Airlines have offered in-flight phone services before, but their unusally high costs limited their usage but if one can use one’s own cell phone or VoIP via in-flight Internet access that doesn’t mean one should be yammering endlessly on a voice call. An MSNBC article also points to a 2005 poll sponsored by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and the National Consumers League that showed that 63% of those polled were against in-flight cell phone usage.
What’s your position on in-flight voice calls?
Singapore Airlines announced the first-ever flights featuring iPod and iPhone connectivity as part of their KrisWorld IFE system. iPod/iPhone connectivity is achieved via a custom cable that includes the iPod/iPhone 30-pin connector on one end and a 9-pin connector that plugs into the KrisWorld IFE system. Each seat features a 15.4-inch widescreen LCD monitor which is perfect for watching television shows and movies, as well as active noise-cancellation headphones. iPod/iPhone connectivity is currently available on the newly reconfigured all-Business Class A340 flights between New York and Singapore. Service between Los Angeles and Singapore is slated to begin in August.
via CoolestGadgets.com
Singapore PR
A CNET News blog post reports that iPass is partnering with AirCell’s Gogo service to include in-flight Internet service as part of iPass’ WiFi roaming connectivity. iPass provides mobile Internet access for a monthly fee. Users can connect via WiFi, dial-up or Ethernet using a single user password in hotels, Internet cafes, airports, and now with this partnership, in-flight.
The post also speculates that as there are other WiFi aggregators, such as Boingo, out there the Gogo service may be adding additional partnerships in the future.
Heard it on BOL #724.
via CNET
iPass PR
InfoWorld reports on Panasonic’s eXConnect service which will offer high speed Internet access to passengers in-flight. The headline says this would be bringing back high speed Internet access to the skies in 2009 but as posted earlier on this blog, Gogo is slated to launch in 2008 with their version of Internet on a plane. The article does state that the eXConnect service will be the first intercontinental in-flight Internet service since Boeing’s Connexion service shut down in 2006.
In-flight Internet was first launched in mid-2004 when Lufthansa began rolling out the service on its long-haul jets. Many major Asian and European airlines followed with the service but the big U.S. airlines, still reeling at the time from the chaos brought on by the 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., never signed on to the service. In the end, Boeing decided to close Connexion before it took off.
Pricing is yet to be finalized, but Panasonic is looking at around $12 per hour or $22 per day, which is also close to the pricing of the defunct Connexion service.
A USA Today article speaks to a move by US airlines to give economy passengers greater control and selection of movies, audio, and games.
Airlines worldwide spent $1.4 billion on in-flight entertainment hardware last year, research firm IMDC says. It’s projected to increase to more than $2 billion by 2012. The result: monitors in individual seatbacks, digital transmission for clearer picture, on-demand delivery that lets passengers pause and rewind, hundreds of movie and song titles, games beyond Hangman and Sudoku, seat-to-seat texting and even e-mail.
Most travelers and analysts agree that foreign airlines have been more aggressive about adopting the latest and fanciest features.
via USA Today
Engadget reports on a Harris Interactive survey that states that 74% of US Americans say NO to in-flight calling and that cellphone usage in-flight should be restricted to “non-talking features” such as emailing, texting, or surfing the Web. Additionally, 69% of those surveyed agreed that if voice calls are permitted, a special “talking zone” should be established so that other passengers are not disturbed. This “talking zone” brings to light what the etiquette should be for making in-flight voice calls regardless of the technology used. Airlines have offered in-flight phone services before, but their unusally high costs limited their usage but if one can use one’s own cell phone or VoIP via in-flight Internet access that doesn’t mean one should be yammering endlessly on a voice call. An MSNBC article also points to a 2005 poll sponsored by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and the National Consumers League that showed that 63% of those polled were against in-flight cell phone usage.
